HATEM BEN ARFA has paid tribute to the patience of Newcastle fans after waiting 14 months for his second goal for the club.

France international Ben Arfa scored at Bolton on Boxing Day to end Newcastle’s six-match winless run.

In celebration Ben Arfa, above, pointed to his left leg, which has suffered a double break and an ankle injury in his time there.

His career with Newcastle was just four games old when a tackle from Manchester City’s Nigel de Jong put him out for nearly a year.

Newcastle made his initial loan signing from Marseille a £2million permanent move during his injury absence and, after his return to fitness, manager Alan Pardew has been careful to use him sparingly. However, Newcastle’s array of 4,000 travelling fans at the Reebok were calling for him even before his arrival.

Ben Arfa said: “I was very happy to see the ball hit the back of the net. The main thing for me was to see the fans reacting. It was not just for me but them .

I’m nearly 100 per cent fit. And, if I play, I will show more to the fans and to the club

Ben Arfa

“I heard the fans singing my name before I came on and it felt really good. It was really comforting to see the fans applauding me at the end too. It was the perfect occasion to score .

“But I promise them there is much more where that came from.

“I’m nearly 100 per cent fit. And, if I play, I will show more to the fans and to the club.”

Newcastle travel to Liverpool on Friday and Ben Arfa said: “After taking three points at Bolton we can optimise our performance.”